Antwerp port companies have parcels delivered by drones

Companies in the Port of Antwerp can now have their parcels transported by drones. There are two drones from operator ADLC to carry parcels of up to 15 kilograms around in the port area. According to the company, this saves time and money, and reduces CO2 emissions.

After test flights, Antwerp-based drone operator ADLC received permission late last year to carry out commercial flights between chemical company BASF and the company SGS. SGS inspects samples of raw materials BASF wants to use.

Transport via drones saves time and reduces CO2 emissions. Transport from BASF to SGS takes about an hour by road, while a drone can carry out this task in about 10 minutes. The faster transport also saves on costs.

From now on, other port companies can also use the drones to fly over the large port area, reports Flemish public broadcaster VRT. "We have received a licence for these activities," said Marc Kegelaers of operator ADLC.

The current drones can carry parcels of up to 15 kilograms. "But we are not tied to any particular brand and can also work with larger drones if there is a demand. There are drones that can carry heavy loads weighing up to 200 kilograms. If needed, we will make the investment to purchase them. This upscaling will however require additional authorisation."

'Time is money'

"In the port, the principle of 'time is money' applies,” added Kegelaers. “Everything has to be done as quickly as possible because a ship doesn't make money while it's at the quay.”

Operator ADLC is also engaged in talks with the companies that maintain ships. "If such a company is located on the right bank and pieces are needed on the left bank, it now takes a long time to transport them because you have to go through the Liefkenshoek Tunnel where you also have to pay tolls. This distance of only a kilometre as the crow flies can be covered much faster by drones.”

_{#FlandersNewsService | drone in the air © BELGA PHOTO AFP PHOTO / UPS}